Biography
I am an ecosystems ecologist whose research addresses the effects of plant traits on ecosystem processes. I use field and lab-based studies in conjunction with simulation modeling to explore complex interactions and to address ‘what-if’ questions regarding the effects of management and climate change on ecosystem processes in tropical forests and Midwestern U.S.agricultural systems. I translate research results into user-friendly, hands-on, interactive educational modeling tools. My studies are designed to provide insight into the mechanisms by which ecosystem management, and its improvements, have consequences from local to global scales.